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Bontrager Big Earl

MSRP $ 50.00
Weight 1425 grams
# of Reviews 12
Average Rating 4/5
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Submitted by Xer a Downhiller from Bend, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2009
Favorite Trail:Funner
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Purchased At:stock on bike
Strengths:Grip, longevity, amazing durability. I ride HARD (big drops, big jumps, rocky trails, fast downhill, you name it) and have not gotten a single flat tire in 2 years of riding. I don't ride much pavement so the tread is still good to go even after 2 years! Grip is fantastic in wet conditions, after all it is classified as a "wet" tire. Dry grip is very good but I don't have a lot to compare with. This tire was a bit too wide for my frame and it actually wore down the frame before the tire wore down, it is that durable. One of the other reviews mentioned a bunch of pinch flats, either he had the wrong size rim or something funky with his setup because this tire has been absolutely unstoppable.
Weaknesses:Dry grip I suppose, if in very dusty or sandy conditions, but that is only in comparison to the stellar wet grip. I'm stretching to find a weakness.
Similar Products Used:Panaracer DH, various BMX tires e.g. Tioga Comp IIIs
Bike Setup:Gary Fisher GED mostly stock
Bottom Line:I didn't expect much from a Bontrager tire but I have been thoroughly impressed and will definitely consider getting another set if these ones ever wear out. My front tire still looks almost new! Highly recommended.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Tyler a from Vermont
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2007
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $45.00
Purchased At:stock on bike
Strengths:good size (compared to other brandname 2.5's), GREAT flat resistance, all-around solid tire for all-mountain use.
Weaknesses:wears down quickly, but keep it off the pavement and you should be alright. Little pricey, too.
Similar Products Used:Maxxis High Rollers, WTB products.
Bike Setup:all mountain / freeride.
Bottom Line:Solid tire!
I was reluctant to go with a Bontrager freeride tire when building the bike, but the bike techs at the shop spoke highly of them. I've been riding the same 2.5" tires for well over a year now for just about everything, including the daily commute, and I can't complain. Running these tires at low pressures provides great traction over the stunts and on the corners. And I've only had one flat in two years of riding. Get these tires with downhill tubes and let your pinch-flat worries fly away.
It's come time to buy a new tire (the rear one didn't care much for all the time it had on asphalt), and after doing some research and checking out the competition (make sure to measure the tire before you buy!), I'm going to repeat-offend.
a good all-purpose tire.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:4

Submitted by bob a Weekend Warrior from Florida
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2007
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Purchased At:came stock on bike
Strengths:Grip nice
Weaknesses:Tread had no life
Similar Products Used:Just replaced rear tire w/ a Kenda Blue Groove John Tomac Series.
Bike Setup:King Fisher 1
Bottom Line:Good traction, lacked on longevity.
Value Rating:2Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Chad VB a Downhiller from Blacksburg, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2007
Favorite Trail:Virginia Tech
Duration Product Used:6 months
Purchased At:Stock on bike
Strengths:Sidewall strength... at 210lb i have pinch flatted the rear once. I also made a 1 inch flat spot in the rim from that same incident. I don't know what "rider" was talking about. They seem to grip well in general conditions.
Weaknesses:Don't shed mud real well, they get caked up fairly quickly and if you aren't flying they won't spit the mud back off. It was only a problem when i was just riding out to the trail through some mud and came to a stop cause the tires were spinning.
Similar Products Used:WTB, Kenda Kinetics
Bike Setup:Trek Session 77, sherman, azonic outlaws, other random goodies
Bottom Line:Pretty good tires, they keep the tube from flatting well (much much much much better than the Kendas). I believe they are fairly expensive to buy by themselves. I probably would try something else if I was buying new tires but could see coming back to these again.

Also... drop the psi a little bit on these tires. probably 3 or 4 psi less than what you think you want. Will save you a crash or two while you get them dialed in.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Ricky a Downhiller from Canada
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2006
Favorite Trail:blue
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:weight,cornering,fast rolling
Weaknesses:durabilty
Similar Products Used:specialized enduros,irc kujos,wtb weir wolfs
Bike Setup:Trek session
Bottom Line:These tires have surprised me so far they have a good fast rolling patch and corner very well at moderate to high speeds.The only downside is the durabilty the center knobs seem wear down a little faster than I would like.
But for the price and performance you can't go wrong
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Alex Cheney a Downhiller from Lansing, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2006
Favorite Trail:A-line
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Purchased At:Velocipede peddler
Strengths:All around great tire good for muddy conditions as well as sand. I have the 2.5 and they roll ok on pavement for a DH tire, but all around I like them alot.
Weaknesses:Well I really havent ridden on too many DH tires so I havent found any yet.
Similar Products Used:2.35 Specialized tires off P2
Bike Setup:05 Trek sessions with DT swiss FR2350 wheels, saint RD, E-13 bashguard.
Bottom Line:I like these tires alot! I will admit I am a lite weight guy so I havent had any problems with flats. However, I rode these tires at the 2006 U.S. open at diablo freeride park in the super wet mudd and crazy rock gardens and they worked great. I have also ridden them in northern michigan in pure sand and they also do very well. Im not really a bontrager fan but I will admit I like the tires and I have herd simmular comments from fellow riders who feel the same towards bontrager.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Rider a Weekend Warrior from Denver
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2006
Favorite Trail:Buffalo Creek
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $40.00
Purchased At:Mojo Wheels
Strengths:Cheap
Weaknesses:Pinch Flats! I rode this tire on Porcupine Loop at Moab and I got 5 flats in a 14 mile section. I rode again on a pretty smooth trail with minimal rocks/roots and got 2 pinch flats. I should have known that a tire with such flimsy sidewalls would have been this bad. Bontrager needs to step it up if they are going to market this tire to freeride/downhill riders. Do yourself a favor and feel the sidewall before you buy. I've seen thicker notebook paper.
Similar Products Used:Nothing this flimsy. Now riding Kenda Blue Groove 2.5's. Much stiffer casing/sidewall and just as sticky if not more.
Bike Setup:Haro Escape 8.2 stock with Juicy 7's.
Bottom Line:Not a good freeride/downhill tire. MAY be suitable for a lighter rider on a dual suspension on XC trails.
Value Rating:2Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Sho a from north van, bc
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2006
Favorite Trail:7th secret
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $40.00
Purchased At:BSP
Strengths:it sticks to anythings. rock faces, roots, steep inclines even with my weight on the front.
Weaknesses:doesn't roll very fast but i haven't ridden on anything as wide as these 2.7s. the 2.7s are the same width as the WTB TimberWolf 2.5s
Similar Products Used:nokains...
Bike Setup:05 norco rampage
Bottom Line:i ride on the shore. it sticks to everthing. my brakes feel weak its got such good grip. awesome tires bottom line. its pretty cheap. i got mine on sale but i would definitely pay the full price and more. Bontrager may not be a name that first comes to mind for even second, but very very good tires. they did their research. i haven't ridden these to notice how they wear yet
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by seej a Downhiller from pupukea, hi
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2006
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Purchased At:20
Strengths:roll fast and sick cornering in the 2.7s
Similar Products Used:all of em
Bike Setup:uzzi.66.other stuff that makes a bike roll
Bottom Line:Great tires! The stigma was there for me with the bontrager name but if you are a real freerider that loves going fast between the stunts try these. I cant say they are the best, but they are pretty friggen sweet. YESSSSSS
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Fernando Mongiardiono a Downhiller from Esquel,Chubut,Argentina
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2006
Favorite Trail:fast dh with lots of rocks
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $15.00
Purchased At:bikehouse
Strengths:Solid laterals, gripy compound, fart for rolling in flat sections, clear mud very well.
Weaknesses:Wears very fast (oviusly cuz is stiky rubber)
Similar Products Used:maxxis (too expensive), michelins(just fine), kendas(nice), tioga factory(not bad)
Bike Setup:giant faith downhill setup
Bottom Line:This tire is a real bang for the buck, maybe those will not perform as good a maxxis minon supertacky buy is a good sticky tire for a freerider or amateur racer on the budget, also will be a nice training tire for fast riders without a tire sponsor.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Ron a from Israel
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2006
Duration Product Used:6 months
Strengths:Low rolling res. compered to other 2.5 tires, very good cornering & grip on dry conditions.
Weaknesses:fast wear - took about 6 months of 2-3 weekly rides, 20-30 KM long to wear down.
hard to install on the rim if used as a tubeless tire.
a bit flexy on narrow rims.
Similar Products Used:Maxxis, WTB, Hutchinson
Bike Setup:SC heckler
Bottom Line:very good tire, very good value for money.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Alec Pym a Weekend Warrior from Axminster
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2006
Favorite Trail:From the front door
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $24.00
Purchased At:Evans uk
Strengths:Gumbi bi compund 2.4 grippy grippy grippy
Good on roots rocks loose stuf ..average in mud but i dont like the wet any way
Light for this size tyre about 800 grames
Weaknesses:None really unlessyou like your mud.
Similar Products Used:Conti verticals, gravity, WTB weirwolfe Nokian NBX
Bike Setup:On My Gemini at the Moment
Bottom Line:Good tyre for the money ohhh did i say they were well cheap at Evans cycles £16.00
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4






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